Keith Long praises no-nonsense Bohemians players after third win on the bounce against Finn Harps

The Gypsies currently sit in second place behind Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division table despite having averaged just a goal a game

Chris Ashmore

14 Apr 2019, 9:39

KEITH LONG heaped praise on his no- nonsense Bohemians after making it three wins on the bounce.

The Gypsies lie second in the table having averaged just a goal a game.

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Keith Long hailed his no nonsense players after beating Finn Harps

Crucially, they have only conceded three times in nine outings.

Friday’s 1-0 win over basement club Finn Harps in Ballybofey was not unexpected but they had to grind out the result.

Boss Long beamed: “It’s a big win for us. We had to dig deep in the second half, Finn Harps threw everything at us. We’ve kept seven clean sheets in nine games.

“All credit to the boys to the way they are employing themselves at the moment.

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Keith Ward will be available for the clash against Dundalk

“We got ahead in the game and probably could have got a couple more goals but it’s a tough place to come to and the boys deserve great credit to come up here and keep another clean sheet.”

Rob Cornwall and James Finnerty have struck up a dominant partnership at centre-half.

But with Cornwall suspended on Friday, Cork City loanee Aaron Barry stepped up to the plate.

Long added: “Finn Harps are scrapping for points even at this early stage of the season and they never give up and they put us under a lot of pressure in the latter half of the second half. I thought we showed good resolve and defended well. I think we deserved the three points.”

Although Keith Ward went off injured, Long revealed the playmaker will be available for tomorrow’s trip to Dundalk — the only side Bohs are yet to face this season.

The gaffer said: “He picked up a knock but I don’t think it is too serious.

“He’s an influential player for us and is starting to mature.

“He’s a happy-go-lucky type of character and is bubbly around the dressing room. His performances have started to mature.

“We have competition now in the squad. We have players who are hungry to play off the bench and players in the stand who are hoping to make an impact.

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